This Šargan Eight day trip from Belgrade takes you to the mountains of Western Serbia, a region most visitors never reach. In one long day you ride a historic narrow-gauge train, visit the wooden village of Drvengrad and see the House on the Drina. It suits travelers who want nature and small towns after a few days in the city, and families with kids who like trains.
The drive back goes over Povlen mountain, about 2.5 hours with one stop.
Past travelers mention that the guides share a lot about Serbian history and daily life, which makes the long drives easier. Some also note that it is a full day spent mostly in a van, so it fits best if you want to see the countryside, not just the sights.
Check the dates and availability for your trip to Western Serbia.
Belgrade
Our tour starts from your accommodation, and we head toward Western Serbia, known for its wild and untouched nature, tasty cuisine, and friendly and hospitable people. Two and a half hours ride we’ll spend enjoying the beautiful landscapes and listening to interesting stories about this part of the country.
Mokra Gora
After a relaxing ride, we’ll arrive just in time for the departure of the famous Šargan Eight scenic train. A unique narrow-gauge railway nowadays serves only for amusement. We will stop at several viewpoints during our ride, from which you can enjoy fabulous views over Mokra Gora. Authentic cars with wooden seats, wood-burning stoves, and characteristic rattling sounds will transport us back to 1925, when this railway was put into operation, establishing a connection between Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea.
Drvengrad
After a 1.5-hour ride, we return to the departure station, where we continue our journey to the nearby Mećavnik, also known as Drvengrad (Wooden City). The renowned director Emir Kusturica, a two-time Palme d’Or winner at Cannes, decided to build it during the filming of his movie “Life Is a Miracle.” He chose to convey ruined wooden chalets from the mountain’s slopes, restore them, and equip them with luxurious facilities to form a new settlement. Here, we will make a stop to enjoy a traditional lunch featuring specialties of Western Serbia’s renowned cuisine, irresistibly delicious and piquant (not included). After the meal, we will have some free time for relaxation, and then continue with our tour.
Drina River House
Shortly after, we will reach our next stop, Bajina Bašta, a small town in the foothills of Mt. Tara. Here, we will see the world-famous attraction, “The House on the Drina,” an isolated log cabin situated on a river stone. A photograph of the structure was featured in National Geographic’s ‘Photo of the Day’, and not too long after that, this charming spot became one of the most photographed sights in the Balkans.
Gate of Podrinje
Our final stop for the day is one of the most famous viewpoints in the area, “Kapija Podrinja.” From here, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains.
Belgrade
Finally, we’ll head back home, riding through the pristine nature of the Povlen mountains. After a ride of around two and a half hours, including one stop, we will arrive in Belgrade in the afternoon. Drop off at your hotels. End of services.
See available dates and the current price on Viator.
Marko was our tour guide and driver and he was fantastic! Highly recommend this tour if you want an easy tour to check out some really cool sites. The train was pretty cool, but I didn’t love the seat assignments as it was free for all and people like to save their seats. But please note you can walk the cabins and find any empty seats you want!
Long day but great sites – Sarah train, the wooden house, the views along the way. The river house – in the eve, you can’t view it clearly as you look straight in to the sun. Could be due to the time of the year.
This is the most underrated tour in Belgrade. I went with Jovan and he was a great tour guide and great driver. The train ride was very interesting with a few stops for photos. (I recommend the lady selling cheese pastries at the train station). Next is the wooden mountain town of a film director. Which I’d never heard of but was very unique experience. Lastly, we ate lunch at the drina river in front of the little house food was great. A long day but worth it. Do this trip.
Plan for a full day of about 10-12 hours. The drive from Belgrade to Mokra Gora takes about 2.5 hours each way.
Yes. The price includes:
No. There is a lunch stop at Drvengrad with local Western Serbian food, but you pay for food and drinks yourself.
From any hotel, apartment or guesthouse within 5 km of Republic Square. If you stay farther away, contact the tour operator first. On some days you may be asked to walk up to 7-8 minutes to the nearest pickup point.
For the shared tour, pickup is 15-30 minutes before departure. You get an email with the details the day before the trip, after 6 pm.
Yes. Strollers are allowed, infants can sit on a lap and infant seats are available. Keep in mind it is a long day with a lot of driving. The tour is not wheelchair accessible.
The shared tour needs at least 3 guests. If there are not enough, you are told at least 16 hours before the trip and can choose to:
The information provided above is compiled from tour operator listings and customer reviews for informational purposes only. Tour details, pricing, inclusions, and availability are subject to change without notice. We strongly recommend that you verify all current information, including tour schedules, prices, cancellation policies, and specific requirements directly with the official tour provider before making any booking decisions. While we strive to keep this information accurate and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of all details. Please check the official tour page for the most current information and terms of service.